Chapter 28 — Tailor Shop at the End of Third Alley

The original map was scanned at Ms. Thao's house, not using the company's computer. Hanh stood next to her, reading each page, while Chau checked the ink. Khoa recorded the hash file, Ngoc saved three copies. Tung signed that he received the copy and did not retain exclusive rights.

Khai called again. He said he didn't want to be the one to save the shop, because the shop was kept by living people. Mrs. Van agreed, telling him that if he returned, he would come as a worker, not as a character.

Ha received shirt number 32 for her daughter. The girl on the video call said the sleeves were long, but she liked it. Chau said he could loosen the bear. The little girl replied that she would leave it alone, wanting to grow up in a shirt with a place to wait.

Hanh and Tung both signed the public minutes. People read and ask questions about each line. Some people don't understand, so they explain without urging them to sign. Chau saw the story go from nameless pockets to a meeting room where people were chosen for themselves.

Mrs. Van put the red scissors on the table, saying the person holding the red scissors could come at any time. The back door is not locked, but there is still a window to keep everyone safe.

In the mailbox, Khai sent a golden thread. No message, just color. Ms. Van understood that this was a section for elderly people who needed clear paths.

Khai's envelope was opened in front of Ms. Van, Chau, An, Tung, Hanh and neighborhood representatives. Inside are original maps, landmark records and a letter. Chau read the date, Ngoc wrote the witness, Khoa did not film the signature until permission was given.

The original map shows that the east passage is listed as a "residential service road", not under the store's own rights. That explains why Khai kept the door open. The 2014 addendum changed the phrase to “unclassified land”.

Khai's letter said he thought he could fix everything by keeping enough paper. After being forced to stay silent, he left to work as a car repairman in many places. He admitted that he had left Ms. Van and Thanh to fend for themselves, because he was too embarrassed to go back. He did not ask them for forgiveness; just ask them to use the map if it helps.

Mrs. Van finished reading and put the letter down. Mr. Thanh said he wanted to apologize. She replied to send it to Khai, not to someone else. The two of them started writing, one sheet each.

Ha took out the children's shirt and placed it next to the map. She said her daughter would return next month and wanted to receive the shirt herself. Chau added the sleeves, keeping two centimeters so the wearer could grow bigger.

The official inspection meeting concluded that the new map must be canceled in the alley. The company still has the right to develop other areas, but must keep the path and pay the costs. Tung was called back, Hanh became the community liaison.

Chau doesn't think everything is over. A resident asked if the store had enough money to pay for electricity. Ms. Van said no. Residents suggested setting up a maintenance fund, but no one wanted to turn the shop into a place to receive unlimited money. Ngoc established a charter, clearly stating revenues, expenses and withdrawal rights.

An asked Chau if he wanted to open a free sewing class. She said she wanted to, but needed someone to teach her. Mrs. Van listened and said she could teach twice a week, while Chau taught how to ask for permission and keep records.

Khoa would like to be in charge of photography. Ngoc asked him if he had learned how to back up yet. He gave a list of three copies, two places and one person to check. Ngoc nodded.

Tuesday night, the number 32 shirt was hung on the door. Ha came over, picked up her shirt, and buttoned the T-shaped button. She didn't cry; She just said girls would like it because the sleeves are a little longer.

Ms. Van received Khai's letter, but did not send it yet. She said she would send it by mail tomorrow, not via text message. Chau asked why. She said a letter takes time for the recipient to open.

Outside the alley, the company removed the red stake. The east wall still has old chalk stains. An used a purple cloth to cover it lightly, not erasing it.

Tung announced that the offer to buy the store was withdrawn. The company will sign a long-term lease contract with a fixed price, while the store retains the right to open later.

A shirt made for an absent person

The person named in the file is Mr. Hoang, the leader of this year's inspection team. He asked to withdraw from the case, but said he did not remember editing the map. He used to work in the archives department, where many records only existed in paper form.

Hanh presented letters exchanged between Mr. Hoang and an intermediary. The letter does not directly talk about adjusting the landmark, only mentioning "change the hem of the shirt to fit the frame". Ms. Van understood that it was the secret language of the workers: change measurements to match the planned drawings.

Mr. Hoang denied, but agreed to hand over the old computer for inspection. No one rushes to conclusions. Ms. Thao reminded students not to use the word "cheating" without results.

While waiting, Chau and An completed shirt number 32. The children's shirt was sewn into a small jacket, keeping the old piece of fabric in the lining. Mrs. Van sewed the purple seam on the hem, and An sewed the T-shaped button.

They don't know who the recipient will be. Chau suggested hanging the shirts at the store every Tuesday. An agreed, but said he should add a piece of paper: "If it's yours, take it. If not, leave a message."

On Tuesday night, a middle-aged woman stood outside the door. She wore a blue shirt, the hem of the shirt was a centimeter off. Chau recognized it as the woman who sent the anonymous letter at the station.

She said her name was Nguyen Mai Ha, mother of child number 32. That child was a girl, currently studying at university in another city. Ha once received a shirt from Khai, but I don't know why he kept the measurements. Khai just said that if one day someone asks, she should tell about the alley behind the shop.

Ha carries a key attached to a purple string. The key opens an old mailbox at the post office. In the box, there was the original copy of the right of passage transfer certificate and a letter that Khai sent to Mrs. Van but did not send it by post.

Khai wrote that he left to find evidence, but realized he was also turning his promise into a burden for others. He wanted to return when he had all the papers, not when he needed forgiveness.

Mrs. Van read the letter without crying. Ha gave her the children's shirt, saying her daughter wanted to give it back to the store as a way of thanking her.

An asked where Khai was. Ha said he was working as a car mechanic in a coastal town, using another name. Ha has the address, but doesn't know if he wants to be called or not.

Chau said they would send a letter and not come to find her unexpectedly. Mrs. Van wrote a new letter, not blaming her, just saying that the shop was still open and there were more students learning to sew.

When the letter was folded, An gave Chau a small button. He said he wanted to sew it onto shirt number 32, so that the recipient would know that someone had continued the thread.

Ha asked permission to hang up his shirt. That night, the shirt was at the store, under the flashlight. No one took it. But the next morning, inside the bag there was a new piece of paper:

**I saw it. I will return when I no longer need to hide.**

The inspection unit sends official results: the old landmark is valid, the new map must be corrected. The company was asked to temporarily suspend the project in the alley.

But the shop still has debt for electricity and machinery, and there are three days left before the old relocation deadline.

The inspection unit sent a decision: the old landmark was valid, the project map was revised, the company was asked to suspend the project in the alley. The news is posted on the board notified the ward, but the shop's debt still remains. Ms. Van sits and counts each bill, refusing to accept unconditional donations.

“If people want to help, order a shirt or fix a button,” she said. “The shop has to live by its work.”

Students held a uniform repair day. The person who brought the shirt got to choose the thread color, heard Khoa tell the story of sewing the wrong sleeve, and received a card with the old route of the alley. Wages are clearly stated, part to pay electricity debt, part to buy a new machine, and the rest to send to the school's scholarship fund.

Chau is in charge of the singles table. She met an eighth grade girl whose skirt was already short because she was growing up quickly. The girl was afraid of being laughed at. Chau showed her how to add a purple border. When I tried it again, the dress fit well and had an accent that made it look like a new design.

An delivered continuously, but at the end of the day the bike's chain fell off. He sat on the sidewalk, his hands covered in oil. Chau gave him a towel and told him he could rest. An said if he stopped, who would give the shirts to the people at the end of the alley.

“I can ride together.”

The two took turns riding the old bike. Khoa teased them into forming a romantic delivery team, Chau threw him a roll of thread. Laughter makes the alley less tense.

At the end of the day, Ms. Van received a new lease contract from the ward, allowing the shop to stay while the project adjusted. As for the machine debt, a nearby garment factory offered to pay it in installments. The factory owner was once a student who received a shirt from Mrs. Van many years ago.

That night, Chau turned over the old book. The students of the past are now adults, everyone helps a little. The salon was not saved by a miracle; it is kept by those who have walked through its doors and remember that place treating them kindly.

Mrs. Van gave Chau the red scissors. “Tomorrow I will cut the fabric myself for my first order.”

Chau held the scissors, still nervous. But this time, she had witnesses and knew clearly who she was cutting for.